Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-02-08
Board of City Trustees.

! bers present. Minutes read and approved
| The City Engineer was directed to pre-
pare plans and specifications for the con-
| struction of sewer in the alley between
| and streets, from Twelfth to Thirteenth,
| and to make an estimate of the cost. Also,
| that the Street Commissioner advertise Tor
proposals for doing the work.
Bids for constructing sewer in the alley
between K and l., Fifth and Sixth streets,
| were opened. and that of W. III. Hobby
| found to be the lowest. He was awarded
the contract. The City Engineer was d.
rected to furnish the Board diagram OF
the property affected or benefited by the
construction of the sewer, and the diagram
was approved.
Proposals for supplying fuel for the
Water Works for one year were opened,
and the contract awarded to the Sacra-
mento and lone Coal Company, c. Holland,
Superintendent, at $4,000. Bond fixed at
S., 900.
A petition of property owners in the
block between n and o, Fifth and Sixth
streets. for the removal of sewer crossing
Sixth street. at the junction of street, be-
cause of its causing drainage water to stand
in large quantity in front OF their prem
Uses, which water found its way into the
wards and cellars, was referred to the Street
Commissioner.
George E. Bates presented the Board
demand that sufficient tax be levied to
paw his claim in the sum of SIT, 100 30 for
interest on city bond coupons. Placed on
file.
S. H. Gerrish, on behalf of the Trustees
of the City Library, requested the Board to
lew a tax of five cents for Library pur-
poses.
The following communication from the
Board of Police Commissioners was read
and placed on file:
SACRAMENTO February p, 1887.
To the Hon. the Board Of City Trustees Of the
Citu of Observation-Disclosures We desire to
place before your honorable body few facts
and reasons why the police force of this city
should be increased and hope you viii give
them careful consideration and act upon the
matter early as practicable, believing 1t to be
question that concerns the welfare OF the city
and interests of all good, tax-paying citizens OF
Sacramento.
The present police force consists of eleven
men and a Chief of Police, placed and distrib-
uted as follows: Two jailers-one day and one
night-who relieve each other after twelve
hour watch; a bailif to the Court, who reports
on duty with four patrolmen at o'clock A. NJ,
to report off duty at o'clock P. Ma fourteen
hour watch; and four night patromen who re-
port for duty at o'clock 7. NJ, TO remain on
watch for ten hours, or until O'Clock the fol-
lowing day.
The city comprises, from A to Y and from
First to Thirty-trst streets, territory of about
six square miles, and population of $4,000 in
habitants, and is divided into four beats or sec
tons by lines running through Sixth street
north and SOUTH and the alley between and
east and west, on each OF which an officer is
detailed. This gives 10 each officer on patrol
an average of seven thousand five hundred per-
sons and territory of about one and Il half
square miles to serve during the day or night,
and taking the streets and alleys, on an average
of about forty-six miles to patrol. There are
parts of this territory which do not need the
attention of the police at all times Taking
into consideration the size and population, and
comparing this with other cities, there is a less
number Of police officers by from one-fitth to
one-third accordingly than that in any other
city in the State. AT times when there are pub
lie demonstrations, it necessitates the entire po
lice force to do duty, and consequently compels
the day or night officers to remain double
watch. Also, in such cases as have lately &C.
cured when residences i'll the outskirts of the
city were entered nightly by burglars; the en-
tire police force was found inadequate, though
put upon the night, leaving only the bailiH to
do duty for the whole city during the day; and
again, when the Superior Court is in session the
city is deprived of such officers as have cases
there, by their attendance as witnesses, leaving
at times but one officer to do patrol duty:
1t is true, there have been but few crimes OF
a serious character committed in Sacramento
lately, and what have been perpetrated have
been met and successfully dealt with by the
present police force, but no one can say how
long it may continue thus, or how great the
need may be for a greater police protection, and
we earnestly petition your honorable body TO
increase the police force to at least fifteen Off
GERS, that they may meet any emergency that
may arise in our city.
There can be no question but that the ends OF
justice and the urgent necessities of city of
this size and territory, absolutely demand the
increase asked for, and that it would be mat
ter of economy, viewing the question from the
standpoint of the increased protection which
would thus be thrown about the lives and prop
erty of our citizens, for your honorable body to
act favorably upon the prayers of this petition
at the earliest practicable moment
HENRY l.. BUCKLEY, Police Judge,
H. +. DILI.MAN, Chief of Police,
Board of Police Commission.
The weekly report of the Chief Engineer
of the water works and the monthly re-
ports of other officials were read and filed.
An ordinance amending Section of
Ordinance No. 1SS, was introduced bysAlr.
Jones, read and laid over under the rules.
1t provides that the price of half-inch water
taps shall be 81, and five-eighths inch taps
49,
1t was resolved that it is the intention of
the Board to have + street improved, from
Twelfth street to Eighteenth, by grading,
the construction of sidewalks, etc; also, to
have Twenty-second street, from H to NJ,
improved in a similar manner.